New International Version He wore cursing as his garment; it entered into his body like water, into his bones like oil. New Living Translation Cursing is as natural to him as his clothing, or the water he drinks, or the rich food he eats. English Standard Version He clothed himself with cursing as his coat; may it soak into his body like water, like oil into his bones! Berean Standard Bible The cursing that he wore like a coat, may it soak into his body like water, and into his bones like oil. Berean Literal Bible And he clothed himself with cursing as his garment, and it came in like the water within him, and like the oil into his bones! King James Bible As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones. New King James Version As he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, So let it enter his body like water, And like oil into his bones. New American Standard Bible But he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, And it entered his body like water, And like oil into his bones. NASB 1995 But he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, And it entered into his body like water And like oil into his bones. NASB 1977 But he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, And it entered into his body like water, And like oil into his bones. Legacy Standard Bible But he clothed himself with cursing as his garment, And it came into his inward parts like water And like oil into his bones. Amplified Bible He clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, And it seeped into his inner self like water And like [anointing] oil into his bones. Berean Annotated Bible The cursing that he wore like a coat, may it soak into his body like water, and into his bones like oil. Christian Standard Bible He wore cursing like his coat — let it enter his body like water and go into his bones like oil. Holman Christian Standard Bible He wore cursing like his coat— let it enter his body like water and go into his bones like oil. American Standard Version He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment, And it came into his inward parts like water, And like oil into his bones. Contemporary English Version He cursed others more often than he dressed himself. Let his curses strike him deep, just as water and olive oil soak through to our bones. English Revised Version He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment, and it came into his inward parts like water, and like oil into his bones. Let it be unto him as the raiment GOD'S WORD® Translation He wore cursing as though it were clothing, so cursing entered his body like water and his bones like oil. Good News Translation He cursed as naturally as he dressed himself; may his own curses soak into his body like water and into his bones like oil! International Standard Version He wore curses like a garment— may they enter his inner being like water and his bones like oil. NET Bible He made cursing a way of life, so curses poured into his stomach like water and seeped into his bones like oil. New Heart English Bible He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment. It came into his inward parts like water, like oil into his bones. Webster's Bible Translation As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe cursing that he wore like a coat, may it soak into his body like water, and into his bones like oil. World English Bible He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment. It came into his inward parts like water, like oil into his bones. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he puts on reviling as his robe, "" And it comes in as water into his midst, "" And as oil into his bones. Berean Literal Bible And he clothed himself with cursing as his garment, and it came in like the water within him, and like the oil into his bones! Young's Literal Translation And he putteth on reviling as his robe, And it cometh in as water into his midst, And as oil into his bones. Smith's Literal Translation And he will put on cursing as his garment, and it shall come into his midst as water, and as oil into his bones. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he loved cursing, and it shall come unto him: and he would not have blessing, and it shall be far from him. And he put on cursing, like a garment: and it went in like water into his entrails, and like oil in his bones. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible May cursing clothe him like a robe; may it enter his belly like water, his bones like oil. New Revised Standard Version He clothed himself with cursing as his coat, may it soak into his body like water, like oil into his bones. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThey clothed themselves with cursing like armor; it penetrated into them like water, like oil into their bones. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And they wore curses like a supply of arms and they entered into them like waters and like oil into their bones. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917He clothed himself also with cursing as with his raiment, And it is come into his inward parts like water, And like oil into his bones. Brenton Septuagint Translation Yea, he put on cursing as a garment, and it is come as water into his bowels, and as oil into his bones. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Song of the Slandered…17The cursing that he loved, may it fall on him; the blessing in which he refused to delight, may it be far from him. 18The cursing that he wore like a coat, may it soak into his body like water, and into his bones like oil. 19May it be like a robe wrapped about him, like a belt tied forever around him.… Cross References The cursing that he wore like a coat, Psalm 35:26 May those who gloat in my distress be ashamed and confounded; may those who exalt themselves over me be clothed in shame and reproach. Job 8:22 Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more.” Psalm 73:6 Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them. may it soak into his body like water, Numbers 5:22 May this water that brings a curse enter your stomach and cause your belly to swell and your thigh to shrivel.’ Then the woman is to say, ‘Amen, Amen.’ Numbers 5:24 He is to have the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and it will enter her and may cause her bitter suffering. Numbers 5:27 When he has made her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, then the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering; her belly will swell, her thigh will shrivel, and she will become accursed among her people. and into his bones like oil. Psalm 133:2 It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard over the collar of his robes. Psalm 38:3 There is no soundness in my body because of Your anger; there is no rest in my bones because of my sin. Psalm 102:3-5 For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like glowing embers. / My heart is afflicted, and withered like grass; I even forget to eat my bread. / Through my loud groaning my skin hangs on my bones. Matthew 7:2 For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. Proverbs 26:27 He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. Romans 2:6 God “will repay each one according to his deeds.” James 2:13 For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” Revelation 16:6 For they have spilled the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink, as they deserve.” Treasury of Scripture As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones. as he Psalm 73:6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Job 29:14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. Colossians 3:8,12 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth… so let Numbers 5:22,27 And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen… Job 20:12-16,20-23 Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue; … Matthew 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. into his bowels. Jump to Previous Body Bones Bowels Clothed Coat Cursing Entered Garment Inward Midst Oil Parts Putteth Raiment Reviling Robe Water WoreJump to Next Body Bones Bowels Clothed Coat Cursing Entered Garment Inward Midst Oil Parts Putteth Raiment Reviling Robe Water WorePsalm 109 1. David complains of his slanderous enemies16. He shows their sin 21. Complaining of his own misery, he prays for help 29. He promises thankfulness The cursing that he wore like a coat, Cursing had become part of his public character, surrounding him as visibly and continually as clothing. Having delighted in pronouncing evil against others, he would bear the judgment he had embraced. Psa 35:26 May those who gloat in my distress be ashamed and confounded… may it soak into his body like water, The judgment is pictured as penetrating his whole life, leaving no outward or inward part untouched. What he chose as his way of life would bring ruin upon him. Num 5:22 May this water that brings a curse enter your stomach… and into his bones like oil. The image reaches to the deepest parts of his strength and vitality, portraying oil, normally associated with anointing, healing, and blessing, as a vehicle for judgment. Rather than receiving blessing and renewal, he would experience the lasting consequences of his own malicious words and actions. Psa 133:2 It is like fine oil on the head, running down… Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 109, David is expressing a deep lament and plea for justice against his enemies. 2. Enemies of David The psalm speaks against those who have wronged David, using deceit and curses against him. 3. God The ultimate judge and deliverer whom David calls upon for justice and vindication. 4. Ancient Israel The cultural and historical context in which the psalm was written, where curses and blessings held significant spiritual and social weight. 5. The Psalmist's Adversaries Those who are characterized by their malicious intent and actions against the psalmist. Teaching Points The Power of WordsWords can deeply affect both the speaker and the recipient. Just as curses can permeate one's being, so can blessings. Believers are called to speak life and truth. Spiritual Armor Just as David's enemies wore cursing like a coat, Christians are encouraged to "put on" the armor of God, which includes truth, righteousness, and peace. The Consequences of Sin The imagery of curses entering like water and oil suggests the pervasive and penetrating nature of sin. Believers must guard their hearts and minds against such influences. Trust in Divine Justice David's reliance on God for justice reminds believers to trust in God's timing and righteousness rather than seeking personal revenge. Transformation through Christ While the psalm reflects a plea for justice, the New Testament calls believers to transformation through Christ, who empowers us to bless rather than curse. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 109:18?2. How can we guard against letting curses "enter his body like water"? 3. What does Psalm 109:18 teach about the consequences of our words? 4. How does Psalm 109:18 connect with James 3:10 about blessings and curses? 5. In what ways can we ensure our speech aligns with God's will? 6. How can Psalm 109:18 guide us in praying for those who curse us? 7. How does Psalm 109:18 reflect the concept of divine retribution in the Bible? 8. What historical context influenced the writing of Psalm 109:18? 9. How does Psalm 109:18 align with the overall message of the Book of Psalms? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 109? Verse 18. - As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment (comp. Psalm 10:7; Psalm 59:12; Psalm 62:4). Extreme malevolence vents itself in curses, which tend to become frequent, and, so to speak, habitual. So let it come; rather, so it cams, or so it will come. Into his bowels like water. Dr. Kay sees here an allusion to the "water of cursing" which was drunk by the woman whose husband taxed her with unfaithfulness (Numbers 5:22); and so also Hengstenberg. But this is doubtful. Perhaps the mere penetrative power of water is alluded to. See the next clause. And like oil into his bones. The oil, wherewith it was usual to anoint the frame, was believed to penetrate, not only into the tissues, but into the very bones and marrow. Psalm 109:18 portrays a man who willingly clothes himself in cursing. Because he chooses that garment, David prays that it will saturate him like water and penetrate his bones like oil—vivid, literal warnings that our words inevitably shape our lives. Scripture affirms that what we wear spiritually, we will one day wear internally; therefore, put off cursing and put on Christ, whose righteousness clothes, cleanses, and strengthens to the very core. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The cursingקְלָלָ֗ה (qə·lā·lāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7045: Vilification he wore וַיִּלְבַּ֥שׁ (way·yil·baš) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3847: Wrap around, to put on a, garment, clothe like a coat, כְּמַ֫דּ֥וֹ (kə·mad·dōw) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 4055: Extent, height, a measure, a vesture, a carpet may it soak into וַתָּבֹ֣א (wat·tā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go his body בְּקִרְבּ֑וֹ (bə·qir·bōw) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center like water, כַמַּ֣יִם (ḵam·ma·yim) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen and into his bones בְּעַצְמוֹתָֽיו׃ (bə·‘aṣ·mō·w·ṯāw) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6106: A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame like oil. וְ֝כַשֶּׁ֗מֶן (wə·ḵaš·še·men) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8081: Grease, liquid, richness Additonal Resources Psalm 109:18 Blue Letter BiblePsalm 109:18 Bible Gateway Psalm 109:18 Bible.com Psalm 109:18 NIV |
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